Blame Coast Highway’s Choppy Ride on Utility Repairs

Dear Street Smart:

The road surface condition of Coast Highway virtually from the north end of Newport Beach all the way south to San Clemente is rutted, full of potholes, bumpy and uneven. It’s like driving an obstacle course! Who is responsible for this, and why has it been allowed to deteriorate to such a state of disrepair?

Needless to say, this is a main thoroughfare and one that imparts a sad impression of the state of California to the thousands of tourists who utilize it, to say nothing of we hapless citizens. Could you contact some of your sources and find out what gives?

Sybil K. Cline, South Laguna

Coast Highway is a state highway, so the state Department of Transportation watches over it. Spokesman Gerard Sandoval said that much of the current disrepair can be blamed on recent utility construction. Between Laguna Beach and Corona del Mar, the road has been ripped up so that a gas main could be installed and so that repairs could be made to a sewer pipeline, he said.

Once work finishes this month, Caltrans will see if there are future construction projects planned along highway. If not, the agency will consider repaving parts of the road, Sandoval said.

In the meantime, Caltrans patches potholes that are reported by the public and by police departments. It’s a way to patch the road without the traffic hassles and inconveniences caused by repaving, Sandoval said.

Caltrans fills about 12 potholes a week along the highway in Orange County. During the last major winter storms, Caltrans fixed an estimated 1,000 rain-caused potholes over a week period.

To report potholes, Caltrans can be reached at (714) 724-2000. And with luck, the utility construction may finally cease, allowing Caltrans to repave the highway and give you a smooth road to follow.

Dear Street Smart:

I work early mornings, 2 to 6 a.m., and have to travel Harbor Boulevard in Costa Mesa. From 19th Street to just north of South Coast Drive, almost all of the traffic signals (except three) are set to turn red to Harbor travelers.

Many of us that work these sort of hours must wait several minutes at each of these signals. The lights stay red at least twice as long--sometimes three times as long--as they do green. I think I understand that the city is trying to keep speeders from using Harbor as a raceway, but is it necessary for them to be red so long?

It sometimes takes me 15 minutes to travel 1 3/4 miles in light or no traffic. They even have signals from parking lots changing when there is no opposing traffic and turn signals changing for cars that aren’t there. This is a terrible waste of gasoline and time.

I see a lot of impatient drivers who run the red lights, or stop and then go through anyway. Somebody is going to get hurt or killed if something isn’t done to change this situation.

By the way, I have tried driving the posted limit and also under to see if the signals are speed-limit timed, and they are not.

Chuck Newhouse, Costa Mesa

The delays you’ve encountered are not an attempt to stop speeders. When all’s well, Harbor Boulevard traffic should usually be getting green lights, according to Costa Mesa associate engineer Dave Sorge. Reds would appear only when cars on a cross street trigger a short signal change. A number of things may be interrupting your peaceful journey, however:

For one, an Orange County Water District reclamation project along Harbor has knocked out some signal sensors that are buried in the pavement, Sorge said. As a result, some traffic signals are following timed commands to issue red and green lights, rather than favoring Harbor and changing only in response to cross traffic.

Costa Mesa is pushing the district to get the sensors back on-line, Sorge said. He added that the project is moving between Mesa Verde and Fair drives, so you might encounter some trouble there in the future.

Meanwhile, street widening work is occurring at Victoria Street and Harbor, so the signals there are following timed commands during construction, Sorge said.

Finally--and a bit of good news--is that in response to your letter, Sorge had someone take an evening drive along Harbor looking for trouble. The result? One or two locations were having equipment problems, and the city will be repairing them.

By the way, drivers can help keep things running smoothly along Harbor and other streets by reporting suspicious signals. Note the the time, place and situation, then phone Costa Mesa Transportation Services at (714) 754-5334.

Dear Street Smart:

As a person who does their part to help clean up our environment, it infuriates me to see automobiles spewing out black smoke on our highways and city streets. It is my understanding that all automobiles registered in California must pass a smog inspection every other year. How could these automobiles possibly have passed such an inspection?

I was told recently that there was a toll-free number to call and report such automobiles. If you are aware of such a number, would you please publish it.

Betsy Throckmorton, Rancho Santa Margarita

The number is 1-800-CUT-SMOG. Callers should report the license number, make and model of the car, along with the place and time. Cars should only be reported if they are seen emitting smoke for longer than 10 seconds.

The number is run by the South Coast Air Quality Management District. Letters are sent to the owners of vehicles spotted spewing fumes, saying that their cars may need repairs.

While the hot line is a voluntary program, there is a mandatory smog check that cars must pass once every two years to register, as you mention. The California Highway Patrol can also pull smoggers over and issue tickets.

The Orange County Transportation Authority is having an “open house” Wednesday in Yorba Linda about plans to turn Imperial Highway into a “super-street.” Imperial would be widened and upgraded between the Los Angeles County line and Santa Ana Canyon road. Those interested can view a video, hear an explanation of the project-approval process and ask questions of staff.

The meeting is from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Yorba Linda Senior Center, 4701 Casa Loma Avenue. For information, phone OCTA at (714) 571-5826.